We’re in week two of the New Year. Are you feeling excited about the opportunity a clean slate presents? Maybe you’re starting to feel slightly less motivated than you did last week?

Being that I’m a big fan of the fresh start, “do-over” period, I began thinking about ways to get the most from this time. I’ve come up with a few ideas and would love to hear from you too. Read on and then please join in and add your thoughts.

7 Tips to Turbocharge Your Year

1. Clarify – Whether you prefer visual images, lists, or recorded messages, allow yourself time to figure out your “do-wants” for this year. Take time to dream and future think. Do you need more clarity? Enlist help from a trusted friend, family member, or professional. Consider using an accountability partner to share your progress and challenges.

2. Motivate – According to leadership coach, David Rock, we are most likely to perform well when we focus on solutions rather than problems. Solutions that we figure out ourselves in those “aha” moments as opposed to ones “offered-up” release a burst of energy. Motivation to take action is highest at this point. Know that you have the answers from within. Tap into your internal riches.

3. Laugh – There is nothing quite like having fun to make us feel as if we can accomplish anything. The joy and laughter that accompanies fun, promotes that “Can do” attitude. In the past few weeks, I enjoyed my share of fun activities, but perhaps more than any other, was when I visited the Ann Hamilton installation at the Park Avenue Armory. Laughter and happiness filled this huge space. Participants of all ages watched the billowing white curtain dance, as the oversized swings we were on, activated the movement of the fabric.

4. Organize – Don’t underestimate the power of feeling organized. While this can look very different to each of us, having a sense of control, clarity, and order in our physical environment can greatly enhance our ability to function well and move ahead. Suspend the notion of organizing perfection. Instead, figure out what organized enough means for you and take small steps to get there. Feeling more organized is a fresh start booster.

5. Develop – Perhaps some of your goals for this year include breaking old habits. Based on neuroscience research and concepts that David Rock has tested, they’ve discovered that changing habits are difficult because they are hardwired in our brains. What is far easier is to create an entirely new habit or wiring. Reframing your goals in the form of adding something new instead of taking away the old could be the key to successfully moving forward.

6. Challenge – What are your plans to move yourself out of your comfort zone? The idea of doing this, and then taking action steps forward to make it happen, can increase confidence, motivation and growth. What’s on your facing your fears list? I’ve got a few things planned, one of which is taking a comedy improv class. Someone asked me if I’m excited about it. I’m not excited, more like, terrified. It’s good for me. What’s good for you?

7. Surround – Focus on the positive. That includes people, spaces, objects, thoughts, and sayings. Release the naysayers and energy drainers. While it can be easy to blame others, we can be our own worst enemy. Suspend the negative self-talk. Acknowledge your strengths and potential. Move forward with positive expectation. As Zig Ziglar said, “Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.”

Energize the days and months ahead. Come join the conversation. Which ideas resonate with you? What will help you get the most from your year?

We’ve arrived together. It’s a new beautiful winter season, the beginning of the year, and the opportunity for a fresh start. Before we look ahead, it’s just as essential to reflect back on what happened, what we learned, what we accomplished, and where we currently are. We locate ourselves so that we can move forward with focus and enthusiasm.

For this amazing community of sharers, while all the conversations have been incredible, I thought you’d like to know which posts resonated the most with you this year. Your insights and thoughts have been invaluable. We talked with experts like Julie Morgenstern about time management, we had giveaways for books, organizing products and most importantly…chocolate. We shared ideas about clutter, change, enlisting help, and more. Enjoy the 2012 highlights!

10 Most Popular Posts of 2012 . . .

1. Ask the Expert

Julie Morgenstern – The “Ask the Expert” monthly feature, newly introduced in 2012 was very well received. Julie’s interview on time management generated an especially dynamic conversation. My favorite question was, “Why do some of us have so much difficulty managing our time?”

2. Giveaway

Fall Organizing Giveaway – Fall organizing tips on inspiration, relaxation, and organization were shared along with a giveaway including a $25 Starbucks gift card, Purse Perfector handbag organizer, and autographed copy of The Other Side of Organized to lucky winner, Rachel. More fun giveaways will be coming in 2013.

3. Wonderfully Human

Sometimes It’s The Little Things – Following on the heels of Superstorm Sandy, we shared our thoughts about gratitude.

4. Possibility Thinking

5 Tips to Eliminate Your Excuses – We looked at the top five excuses and tips for overcoming them in order to move forward and embrace the possibilities.

5. Success Secrets

8 Tips for Bouncing Back – Eight wonderful colleagues shared their best advice for handling life’s surprises and setbacks. Thank you Yota, Leslie, Geralin, Ellen, Janice, Janet, Sue, and Helena for your unique perspectives.

6. Enlisting Help

Top 10 Reasons People Ask for Organizing Help – As a professional organizer for over 20 years, I’ve noticed certain patterns that propel people to reach out for organizing help. Can you add other reasons to the list?

7. Getting Motivated

10 Motivation Challenges & Fixes – What de-motivates us and prevents us from moving ahead? We identified challenges and talked about tips for overcoming them.

8. Too Much Clutter

What’s Your Relationship to Clutter? – We talked about our views about clutter. We looked at if we were on a clutter hiatus, oblivious to clutter, or overwhelmed by it? After locating ourselves, we discussed next steps.

9. Embracing Change

4 Tips for Navigating Change – Procrastination can keep us stuck. This post, inspired by a pair of purple velvet slippers, looked at what to do when we’re struggling with change.

10. Fresh Start

Recombobulation Area – Transitions are integral to beginning something new. We shared ideas about the shift from a disconnected to a more balanced state.

Thank you for being part of this community and taking time to reflect back over the best of this past year. Did you have a favorite post? I’d love to know which one and what you liked about it.

I’m looking forward to the conversations we will continue to have this year. My heartfelt wishes go out to each of you for a happy, healthy, organized-enough, and joy-filled 2013!

This is the last post for the year. It’s a quiet day, which comes after several lively days filled with family, friends, and gatherings. This is a reflective time of year as I sit here wearing my cozy socks and sipping a warm cup of Earl Grey tea.

When I finished writing my post, I asked our daughter to give it a read before sharing it with you. Cassie exclaimed, “That’s great, Mom!” Over lunch, we continued our conversation. She said, “The list is too long. I got lost in it and couldn’t focus. And the post doesn’t have any spark.” Now that’s good feedback! Then she added, “Would it be so terrible if you started over?” We both burst out laughing. She’d gone from, “that’s great” to telling me what she really thought.

You can’t ignore the truth. In the spirit of Cassie’s honesty and the connections they conjured up about this time of year, I opted to rewrite this post. The long list is gone, the message is more focused, and hopefully you will feel a spark.

Lists - In thinking back over the year, did you include too much on your list? If you had edited more, would you have experienced better balance? Were there too many “shoulds?” Was it challenging to prioritize and focus? In looking ahead, include what is most important. Be selective so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Make the lists want/need-based rather than should-based.

Passions - Was the past year draining? Maybe you didn’t include enough of what you’re passionate about? What energizes you? Going forward presents opportunity. Add the spark! 

Beginnings - One of the fabulous things about this time of year is our ability to reflect, reset, and dream. We get a “do-over.” This is the ultimate gift. Let go of what didn’t work. Release your fear. Embrace the possibilities. Start over.

As you reflect back and future think, what do you see? As we transition from one year to the next, allow clarity and hope to flourish. Wishing you and your loved ones joyous, focused, and spectacular days ahead.

I’m grateful for the perspectives you continue to share in this community. I always love to read your ideas and appreciate your comments. Come join the conversation. What are you thinking about as this year comes to a close?

What an exciting year we've had with the introduction of our “Ask the Expert” feature on The Other Side of Organized blog! We’ve enjoyed fabulous conversations about being wonderfully human with Denslow Brown, possibilities with DeeAnne White, success with Lori Deschene, enlisting help with Janet Barclay, motivation with Dr. Shannon Reece, time management with Julie Morgenstern, clutter with Lorie Marrero, letting go with Geralin Thomas, next steps with Yota Schneider, and change with John Ryan. The interviews are the starting point. Your insightful reflections and additions to the dialogue add so much depth. I’m grateful that you are part of The Other Side of Organized community. This month as we shift our focus, I’m thrilled to bring you best-selling author and happiness expert, Gretchen Rubin to share her wisdom about life balance.

When Gretchen wrote The Happiness Project in 2009, there was a tremendous buzz about her book. I added it to my “Books to Read” list. Around that time, my husband and I became empty nesters. We had just dropped off our youngest daughter at college. We were in the airport, on our way to our first vacation in years without our kids, when I entered a bookstore to “just browse.” Displayed prominently, was Gretchen’s book. I bought it immediately, knowing it was the perfect book to read as I transitioned to this new phase of life. My deepest gratitude and thanks goes to Gretchen for taking the time to join us. Before we begin, here’s more about her.

Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, including the blockbuster #1 New York Times bestseller, The Happiness Projectand her latest bestseller,Happier at Home. On her popular blog, The Happiness Project, she reports on her daily adventures in the pursuit of happiness. Gretchen started her career in law, and she was clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor when she realized that she really wanted to be a writer. Raised in Kansas City, she lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters. You can connect with Gretchen on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, website, or blog.

My Conversation with Gretchen Rubin

Linda:  You’re an expert on encouraging more happiness into our daily lives. What are some ways to increase the happiness quotient?

Gretchen:  A key—perhaps the key to happiness is strong relationships with other people. When you’re deciding how to spend your precious time, energy, and money, anything that widens or deepens your bonds with others is likely to be a happiness-booster.

Linda:  In your pursuit of happiness, what have you discovered about life balance?

Gretchen:  If something is important to me, I can’t wait until I have some free time to do it. I never have any free time. I have to make time.

Linda:  What do you suggest for those who are overwhelmed, stress-out, and time poor?

Gretchen:  Get enough sleep! Many people who feel overwhelmed, stressed-out, and time poor are physically exhausted because they’re chronically under-slept. Most adults need 7-9 hours. You can’t “train” yourself to get by with less. I’ve become a real sleep nut, because I see how important it is to happiness, energy, and health.

Linda:  Do you have a philosophy about life balance?

Gretchen:  My mantras are “I have plenty of time for the things that are important to me” and “I want to cram my life with the things I love.” The consequence – I don’t have time for the things that don’t reflect my interests, values, and temperament. They have to fall away.

Linda:  What has been your biggest personal life balance challenge?

Gretchen:  I love to work, so it’s sometimes hard for me to put down my book or step away from my laptop to spend time with my family and friends. I have to give myself “quitting time!”

Thank you, Gretchen for your thoughtful and concise insights about happiness and life balance. I love the clarity you have that happiness comes from our strong relationships with others, and that life balance is a matter of making time for what’s important and releasing the things that are not. I invite all of you to join Gretchen and me as we continue the conversation. What adds to your happiness? What are your challenges or successes with finding balance?